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Why ALL are equal in front of the law & an apology from one Christian.

Any hateful or negative comments will be deleted from this blog. Love only. Keep it classy.

With the fight for marriage equality hitting the Supreme Court this week, I am feeling inspired to write on the topic.

I am going to publish a blog on TDL that I originally published on The Huffington Post this past summer when the whole Chick-fil-A thing went down.

While this blog is about my beliefs about Christ’s message and I never talk about my personal views on religion on the blog, this week is a special week, which requires special action.

My bottom line belief outside of my spiritual belief is that ALL Americans are equal under the Law. No matter what you believe from a religious standpoint.

BUT, as a lover of Jesus, it breaks my heart to see so many “Christians” hate so many people. I believe to be a Christian simply means to try your best to be Christ-like, and all that means is to be as LOVING as possible. I have a tattoo of a cross on my left arm and it says on it only two words, “Be Love”. It’s my constant reminder that no matter what path we walk in the world, Love is always the bottom line. And Love has many different forms.

I believe that there is no stopping an idea whose time has come, and the time for marriage equality has come.

Jesus didn’t say, “Love the sinner, hate the sin” – he simply said above all else, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” So on behalf of all Christians, please accept my apology if any of us have made you feel hated, judged or criticized for who you were born to be – be it gay, straight or anything else.

You were made perfectly. You are perfect. And as so many stand in judgment, perhaps you could give them a little dose of Jesus and simply utter the prayer “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.”

Here’s my blog from last year!

Why Jesus Loves LGBT People and Gay Marriage Doesn’t Exist

I’m in London right now during the worldwide celebration of the Olympics. I am out of my comfort zone and surrounded by every race, creed, gender, religion and possible amalgamation of human being possible.

All the while, my Facebook is BLOWING up with Chick-fil-A beliefs left and right. I usually stay away from most debates of a political nature, but gay marriage is one I must stand up for. Why? Because it’s not a political issue, it’s a civil rights issue. And not only that, but because I love Jesus, and the way that many Christians are responding to the idea that gay people should be able to marry makes me cringe.

There are all kinds of places in the Bible that can be quoted to support “traditional marriage,” New and Old Testament. There are also places in the Bible that can be quoted to support stoning your son to death if he is rebellious (Deuteronomy 21: 18-2). There are also places in the Bible that say that male and female have no boundary within the body of Christ (Galatians 3:28).

But as far as I can tell, there is nothing in the Red Letters of The Bible where Jesus preaches against homosexuality. It’s just not there. If it is, please show me so that I can stand corrected.

What I DO know is this… Jesus DID give his TOP TWO Commandments; in fact, Jesus says that “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:40).

So, what are these top two Commandments? As a Christian, a lover or follower of Jesus, wouldn’t you want to know what these top two commandments? ESPECIALLY if “ALL THE LAW and the Prophets” hang on them?

Now, by Law and Prophets, I can only accept that Jesus meant for us to forget EVERYTHING else that we’ve heard, no matter who said it or what the Law says. This MUST include everything in the Old Testament and everything that every other prophet or disciple wrote BEFORE or AFTER Christ’s death. These are his TOP TWO irrevocable commandments that PRECEED and HOLD DOMINION over ALL OTHER LAWS and PROPHETS!

So… what are they?

Simple… Read in Matthew 22:36-40. Here goes:

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

If you are a Christian or a lover of Jesus like I am, then it BEGINS and ENDS here. Why? Because Jesus said in His own words that these are the TOP TWO commandments that EVERYTHING else lay upon.

This is not out of context. This is not to be subverted because Paul said something, or another Prophet said something else in the Old Testament. Jesus was VERY clear that these two commandments TRUMP everything and everyone else and what they said.

So, if that is the case my Christian friends, let me ask you a question: If you are a straight Christian, do you want the right to marry? Yes, or no? Do you think as a straight person you have that right? Would you want that right? How would it feel to not be able to marry the person that you love? If someone said that they supported you not being able to marry the person that you Love, how would that make you feel?

Jesus calls us to have empathy, compassion and an open heart for all human beings. Not just people who follow Him. Not just Christians. Not just believers. Not just straight people. BUT EVERYONE. And this includes gay people. They are your neighbors, too. So if we are to follow what Jesus is asking of us, we MUST demand that gay people have the right to marry. Why? Because to NOT do so would not be loving them as we love ourselves. And that would make us hypocrites pretending to love Jesus.

Christians and lovers of Jesus should be the first people to allow people who love each other to get married, regardless of their sexual orientation. Jesus was all about Love, not rules and regulations. But LOVE.

It’s that simple. Based on these top two commandments, I believe that Jesus would support gay people getting married.

On top of that, the idea of gay marriage is absurd. We live in a time where we are being asked to open our hearts, expand our minds and step into a larger world view. Marriage isn’t gay or straight, any more than voting is male, female, white, black or yellow. There’s just the right to vote. The right for every HUMAN BEING to vote. And the same goes for two consenting adults who want to get married.

Calling it “gay marriage” is akin to “separate but equal.” It’s still not fully recognizing the closed mindedness of such a label.

If we love Jesus, if we call ourselves a Christian, then we must follow these top two commandments above all else and rise to the occasion so that every consenting adult has the right to Love and be Loved as they please.

It’s that simple.

As always, the action happens in the comments below. Leave a comment and join the conversation! The TDL Community thrives in the comments and it’s a GREAT place to get support!

Love,

Mastin

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Mastin Kipp is the founder and CEO of The Daily Love. Follow him on Twitter here.

Thank you, Mastin, for saying it better than I could. I used to be a binary Christian and it caused deep division with my gay in-laws. I can now say that I see the wisdom of your perspective and I have grown from reading your blog and reading books like Self-compassion by Kristin Neff. Thank you…

Love! I am a Chrisyian and a believer in love above all. Marriage is the hardest thing I have ever committed to. It should be available to all!

Jess

I am a christian and fully believe in loving one another. BUT I do not support gay marriage. Jesus specifically speaks of this in the Bible and clearly it is wrong. I don’t hate gay people AT ALL, I am a sinner just like they are. But I believe gay feelings are from the devil. Just like an alcoholic craves alcohol. That doesn’t mean he should drink it. We aren’t called to be “happy” We are called to do what is right in Christ. It amazes me how many christians are ok with this. Marriage was created by God and again the Bible says a man shall not lay with another man. It’s wrong. Period. But I definitely agree as far as the hatefulness goes. We should encourage not tear down.

TeaThoughts

Man wrote the bible and man created the idea of marriage. He also created the concept of the devil.

Jess

Yes as God told him to.

TeaThoughts

If that’s correct then why hasn’t god instructed anyone to create/write another book? These ancient texts are dangerous and open to interpretation which worries me. Organised religion was created by humans to control others. God, is a benevolent presence that doesn’t judge or punish. Humans judge and living with anger and hatred creates friction and destruction. If we all lived with god in our hearts (i.e love) then we wouldn’t care what other people did in the privacy of their owns homes. If god does judge etc then let it, it’s got nothing to do with you.

Jess

I never said it had anything to do with me. I’m done with this argument we will agree to disagree I have better things to do with my time.

Marriage is a ritual/tradition. People have the right to decide what they want to do with their lives. I think it’s weird that the government decides who can or can’t get married. smh.

It is with the intent of your heart that you serve God and Christ, God looks at your heart, it is what you believe in your heart and how you act upon your beliefs that makes you a Christian.

The definition of the tradition of Marriage has changed a long time ago, or is changing. A gay marriage in a Church or wherever won’t be Blessed by God, but you can’t get mad about a blessing from a God you don’t even believe exists anyway. So I don’t see what’s wrong with Gays being married. It’s just a tradition/ritual.

Jess

God created marriage. He said it was wrong. That’s all I’m saying. I do wrong everyday just like anyone else. Not judging.

Guest

We all know what Christians believe. A gay couple getting married doesn’t change the fact of what God thinks about a Christian marriage or what the Bible says about marriage.

A gay couple will not be changing the definition of a Christian marriage or affecting a Christian couple’s marriage. So chill lol

God gave us the right to choose how we want to live and be loved while we’re alive. Whether or not we live the way a Christian thinks we should doesn’t matter, it is actually between them and God. You can’t decide for someone else how they should live.

Guest

I don’t support the govt choosing who can and can’t get married, or even the govt forcing a church to marry gays either. They shouldn’t be involved or in control in the first place.

Jess

I completely agree

Jessica

Jess, Jesus didn’t utter a word about gay people. Not a stinking word. It isn’t in any bible.

He did have quite a bit to say about divorce though. Something that is most frequent in the South where the Bible Belt is, at a current rate of 51%. Maybe people like you need to make divorce impossible. That would save people from Divorce which is the only real threat to straight marriages.

Straighten up your own houses before you try to straighten up mine.

Jess

What part of “A man shall not lay with another Man” Do you not understand? OR “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is DETESTABLE.” Leviticus 18:22 I would love nothing more than to make divorce impossible. I hate divorce and am the product of a divorced family. But maybe if the world wasn’t so focused on being “happy” all the time the divorce rate wouldn’t be so high. But we live in a society that says “follow your heart” God says FOLLOW HIM. I DO NOT HATE OR EVEN DISLIKE GAY PEOPLE. I am no better and they are people just like me. But my OPINION is it’s wrong.

Mike

Jess –
A few threads above you provided scripture that does NOT quote Jesus, and now you’re doing it again. You’re participating in a very misleading & losing argument, but it’s the “misleading” part that’s most disturbing to me. You need to let go of this quickly my friend.

Jess

ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD BREATHED 2Tim 3:16 I’m done with this conversation.

Mike

Again, you’re not quoting Jesus. That was Mastin’s (and Jessica’s) challenge, and none of your comments can disprove it.

And “I’m done with this conversation” is very telling, if you don’t like what’s being said, just change the conversation – which is what the non-Jesus quotes attempted to do in the first place.

Jess

Mt. 19:4 – 5 “He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a MAN shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his WIFE, and the two shall become one flesh?’Mt. 19:6 “What therefore God has joined together. Let not man put asunder.” ” THIS is the definition of marriage.

Jess

Jesus made it very clear

Mike

Jess –
I agree with you completely, but unfortunately this is not the question being asked in Mastin’s essay.
>> But as far as I can tell, there is nothing in the Red Letters
of The Bible where Jesus preaches against homosexuality. It’s just not there. If it is, please show me so that I can stand corrected.<<
You'll get no argument from me about the Christian definition of marriage according to Jesus' teaching. (If you want to argue what the Bible says about one-man/one-woman marriage, well – that's another story.) But clearly with no Biblical references to back this up, I cannot agree that Jesus ever would condemn homosexuality the way I hear Christians condemn it. It wasn't a priority of his, and it's not a priority of mine. If gays want to get married in a civil marriage ceremony, more power to them. If Christian churches want to restrict marriage to one-man/one-woman, more power to them too.
But Christian churches should not be dictating marriage law to non-Christians, or even to other Christians of other denominations. It's, in a word … "un-Christian".
And best of luck to you in your journey. I truly mean this.

What part of “Jesus didn’t utter a word about gay people. Not a stinking word. It isn’t in any bible” do you not understand?
If you have properly read your scripture then you would know that after Christ came all of the old rules were negated in favor of His rules which DID NOT include anything about homosexuality.

Jess

It talks about it in the new testament. If you have read your scripture properly you would would see where all it is referenced. Just because it doesn’t specifically say “Gay” does not mean it’s not talking about that. Besides if being gay is so right how in the world would the human race survive?? There’s a reason we were made the way we were. It is a sin just like I commit sins. I’m not judging them I’m just saying I don’t agree with it. It’s God’s place to judge. Not mine. I didn’t realize I couldn’t state my opinion just because I don’t agree with the majority of people.

Jessica

Live the way you want but keep your religious laws out of my life. They are useless and repressive in my view.

@Jess said “Marriage was created by God” – and so we should all have 300 wives just like King David? Right? Because it’s in the Bible he had 300 wives. And the Bible says women are property, so we should all treat them like that too, because it’s in the Bible, ….Right? (talk about Christian sharia law) And it’s Just so OK to sell your daughter into slavery because that Old Book the Bible said it’s just OK to do that? RIGHT? And if you Work on Sunday, Everybody here should stone you, RIGHT? I am not talking about getting stoned, I am talking about hitting someone with rocks until they are dead. That’s OK as long you don’t commit mudder, RIGHT? And you would never eat shell fish because you know what that’s a Abomanation too, along with wearing things that are made out of two types of thread? Right? Oh you are not allowed to go to Church if you wear eye glasses, because you are considered unclean if you have bad eye sight, that’s in the Bible too. The list goes on from there.

You know what? You might want to Check out Christ’s First and only Second Commandment. You might find out that all that BS is not importaint to Christ. IF your going to follow the old testment, don’t bother calling yourself a Christian. Because as ST John said “Who ever believes” is what is importaint. Not “Who ever earned their faith”, or “Who are in the in crowd”, or “have the right sexuality”, or “Who ever have the right skin color”, or “Who ever had enough money”, That does not count.

Jess

Have you never heard of the proverbs 31 woman? She is worth FAR MORE THAN RUBIES. I don’t know what you’re talking about with most of your ramblings. But talk about judging someone, who are you to tell me I’m not a christian. DO NOT ATTACK ME FOR MY OPINION. It’s funny how when you’re ok with everything it’s ok to state your opinion but when you disagree you’re nothing but a hateful person. You want new testament? Here you go! Gal 5:19, 1Cor. 6:9-11, Rom 1:24-27, Matt 5:27-28

Shevy

Mastin – Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Sofia

Im 100% with you. It makes me boil inside how “Christians” can be so hypocrites. Who cares if they are gay, lesbians or whatever they want to be. LOVE is EVERYTHING is what really matters.

Yes are correct about the statement of ” separate but equal” being likened to gay marriage BUT Jesus didn’t come to do away with the law, but fulfill it. There is no such thing as marriage between same sexes no matter what the legislature deems “right”, in the eyes of God and I am a Christian that stands behind this 100%….not hypocritical in any way. Each to its own but it still doesn’t make it right or a RIGHT. I hate only the THINGS that God hates according to His Word. I stand on that.

TeaThoughts

I don’t believe for one second that ‘god’ hates anything or anyone. I believe that god just ‘is’. It’s man made religion that dislikes difference and makes judgements of others based on pretty flimsy arguements. Totally against what I think god is or might be.

Elaine Perkins

READ your Bible more closely….there ARE several things that God HATES.

TeaThoughts

I don’t own a bible, I don’t need a book to tell me what to believe or how to behave. Any mention of god hating anything is man made. The book is written by human hands and has been translated and changed over the years. God, the way I see is is a kind of benevolent force and it is humans that have created religion with its judgements and rules.

16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Wow- Nothing about being gay in there. Hmmm But I see things in this list that I see here on this board.

Marielac

I have come to understand that there is no hate when it comes to God. God is about pure love and joy.

Now the human ego – well there’s quite a hater. And it resides in all of us.

The trick is to let your spirit-the part of you that is God- run the show when it comes to how you feel about anything. When you feel love, it will follow that you will act and speak in love no matter what, even gay marriage.

Sally

God does not use the word hate…he uses the word “detest.” Our so called ‘sins’ in the Bible are only made for our protection, health, and prosperity in life. The old testament is like a consuming fire, not to be taken lightly, unlike the new testament which has no rules. We are now free to chose are own wisdom, destiny. Jesus died for our sins…the ones we couldn’t keep to be what God planned for are ‘well being.’ Something to ponder…I think we should step out of the box and think “wisdom.” As God would say “discernment.” Never stop loving.

Jessica

Well thankfully your god doesn’t run this country and is required to keep “his” laws out of its business

I love this post today. I truly love every post of yours that I have read. I have been a friend of Bill for over 20 years (I think I read that you are a friend as well?). It seems that you really walk the talk!
Thank you so much for your honest sharing. It inspires me to be even more open and authentic. Keep up the great posting!

Stacy

Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, 1 Corinthians.6:9-10, Romans 1:26-28.

TRUTH IS

Bravo!! Stand up for your beliefs or fall for anything!!!

Alex

What beliefs might those be? We are taught as Christians not to judge. You can throw as many scriptures as you would like. God loves all. You will answer only for yourself at the end. No other human being has the right to judge or persecute another. The fact that you believe being a Christian gives you some super power to condemn fellow human beings says that you wear your Christianity as a weapon. Remember Jesus walked with them all. He didn’t use hatred as a method to change them he just loved. His love was unconditional regardless of who they were or what they had done or were doing. You are not Christ. The moment you forget that it is a privilege to stand in his image and become boastful is the moment you have already fallen. Christianity is to know love and humility. I am a Christian as well. I don’t throw out bible scriptures judging other human beings. I show that I am a Christian by how I treat other human beings. To love yourself is to love another. Seems like you would want to quote scriptures of love instead of scriptures to defend blatant hatred. Just my thoughts …

TRUTH IS

God loves the sinner, despises the sin. The bible touches a lot of subjects. Good and bad. We quote where applicable!

TRUTH IS

No one is saying they hate gays, they shun their lifestyle. I do the same for racists, crimminals, etc

Alex

Why is that? And do not equate gays with racists and criminals. Although racists are free to believe as they wish just as you are. But do you know what’s criminal? To inflict hate upon another human being who isn’t doing anything to you personally. They are being themselves. They are loving. They are raising children, living life and paying taxes just as you are. I’m not trying to change your mind. Just know that racists use the bible to hate as well. And you are doing the same. No one is without sin. I don’t like what you have to say not do I agree but I wouldn’t think of voting for any law that would prevent you from doing so. Your words or thoughts about marriage will not change people loving one another. The law will change and this too shall pass. God speed!

Alex- I know you didn’t say this, but the quote “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” is not in the Bible. I find the Irony in the people who quote this the most*, are the same people who look down on the person who said it first and find fault with that person because of what side of the religious fence that person sat on. I will give you a hint: Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum. Answer: Can you say: ST Augustine of Hippo. He had many of the same problems as Sigmund Freud, but that another subject and another time..

*Protestant.

Shelly

Luke 6:32-36

New International Version (NIV)

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Seeking truth

The bible doesn’t actually love the sinner hate the sin. Maybe you should have said… We misquote where applicable. 😉

That was truly a very beautiful thing to write, Alex. Thank you for the message. You wrote it but I feel it deep in my heart so I am certain it came from God. Bless you always!

Alex

Bless you! Peace …

Casey

The bible also notes fun things like you should not eat fat, a rape victim must be married to the violator (after he pays up of course), you shouldn’t wear mixed blend clothing, if you work on the day of rest you should be killed, forget a rounded haircut or tattoos, and (assuming you’re a lady) I really hope you don’t talk in church. I’m not trying to hate on anyone here, but I am curious as to why some verses can be applicable these days and others can not be. This article was fantastic (TY Mastin!) and having one’s own beliefs is great but I don’t think people should be shamed because you can pick and chose verses from a book that suit your ideals.

Kristen

A.J. Jacobs wrote a fantastic, funny and touching book called, “The Year of Living Biblically.” He follows ALL the laws of the Bible – including not wearing mixed fibers, attaching bells to your clothes, and not having contact with women during their “unclean” time of the month. It’s a great look at how we’ve adapted biblical laws to fit our current culture. Highly recommend it.

Love your response, Casey! I couldn’t agree more. I’m not very well-versed on the Bible so I don’t have “Bible comebacks” at the ready. It just angers me when people are hateful in any way. When they put someone else down just b/c they’re different than them. They’re completely living in fear and their heart is not full of love. They can’t feel good inside. That’s all I know.

N.

I hope you all understand that some of those Laws you speak of where the covenant the Lord made with the Jewish people specifically and not with the non-jews. Many of these laws especially in Leviticus are for the Levite priests and the carrying out of their duties. That is why, for example, the non-Jew does not have to be circumcised as this was the covenant the Lord made specifically with Abraham and all the Jewish descendants. It is so easy to look at those things out of context from our modern day arrogant western eyes. Also to one of the comments above, Scripture says that God himself has us tattooed on his palms, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands .” (Isaiah 49:16). Kristen, not having contact with women during their unclean time of the month was truly a blessing for women during those times. Do you really think that the women who lived in desert land over 2000 years back had pads or tampons, or clean water available? I have to tell you that I myself just a bit over 20 years ago when staying at my grandma mountain village as a young girl in an Eastern country – being in an isolation during my bleeding time was a true blessing – as there were no feminine products there to use like the ones the Western woman is spoiled to have. I will spear you the details of how my bleeding went on but will mention then cutting up some of my clothes to use to care for myself was useful.

Mike

Stacy –
You and others keep quoting the Bible, which of course we can all quote ad nauseum to justify whatever we want. (Slavery, anyone?) But Maskin’s request was to quote Jesus, and so far all of the Biblical passages given by everyone here fail miserably – including yours, which begins with (of course) Leviticus.
From the essay …

>> But as far as I can tell, there is nothing in the Red Letters of The Bible where Jesus preaches against homosexuality. It’s just not there. If it is, please show me so that I can stand corrected.<<

Stacy, you really need to go back up to what he said above, it’s all about love and as I assume you are a Christian because you are quoting the Bible, you must realize that Christian by definition means one who follows the teachings of Christ and He gave us two commandments 1 Love God with your whole being and 2 Love your neighbor as yourself. It’s just that simple, just follow the words of Jesus and you will be fine. Jesus addressed so many things in His ministry, things of great importance but never once said a thing about homosexuality, not one word. If it was that important, don’t you think He would have talked about it?

(Applause) THANK YOU MASTIN!! Bless you for having the courage to share this. It hurts me that as Christians we are here to love. Yet, so many are hurt because they are shunned. We are supposed to love as Christ loves us whether gay, straight, Muslim, atheist, Baptist, Charismatic…. and let OUR lives be an example of how to LIVE and LOVE.

Charmaine

Ok the Bible is literature first and foremost so there is something called cultural context and inference. Jesus never talked about Pedophilia, incest, beastiliaty, drug addiction, smoking, etc. Lets stop with leading folks into darkness. Sex has divine purpose and our bodies were meant to enjoy it in one way. Our anus was not designed for sex and the challenges that come from having a sexual relationship between a man and a woman were designed to bring us in closer fellowship with the Lord. Read Romans 1.

TRUTH IS

The act is quite unnatural even if you were to take out religion out of it. It’s psychological not biological!

Is that why it shows up all over the animal kingdom, not just humans? It is very natural.

TRUTH IS

How dear you compare human, who are of higher intellect, to animals. Do you run around wild like animals?! Do animals become engineers, drs, lawyers, scientist? Stop using animals as a pass for this god-awful sin! What’s next, having sex with your pet?!

TRUTH IS

*dare

TheSunRadiantlyShines

Love is accepting evryone’s right to opinions
Open communication! You’ve all said how you feel and being negative towards each other isn’t respecting this blog’s article!
LOVE

GRAMMER

Dare* not Dear

TRUTH IS

See my correction 21 mins before u posted 🙂

SPELLING

Grammar, not Grammer

Stop Judging

Natural or not, biological, psychological, none of that is even relevant. Your opinions are a judgement you are passing on someone else, and we are called, not to judge other people for their choices, but to love them unconditionally.

TRUTH IS

Lol….nope I wont judge….I love the sinner hate the lifestyle confusing our children. Trust God will judge. He is a jealous God….check Soddom & Gomorrah. Not my words hun. It’s not that am going out killing gays. I am entitled to my opinions just as much as the next person supporting or against it. We can agree to disagree! Get down off the cross, other people need wood!

Please honestly read the teachings of Elijah and Isaiah, prophets who spoke to God and one of whom has never died. They both declare the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, it was mistreatment of the poor and of guests. Read your Bible, don’t just quote what you hear from others. The Holy Scripture was given to you to study and learn.

TeaThoughts

At least animals don’t wage wars with one another and destroy their own habitat. Pretty smart to me.

TRUTH IS

Sounding kinda lame! Who is for wars?? Not me…wars are caused by money hungry, power hungry individuals

TeaThoughts

Exactly, pretty stupid hey? Destroy lives and the world aroud you for money, I don’t think we’ve got any place to say we’re superior to animals. That was the point I was trying to make. Why do you keep quoting stuff from the bible, can you think for yourself? God doesn’t judge or hate, that’s what man does and pretends it’s gods way.

TRUTH IS

Where did I quote bible. Humans are full of flaws so just because “they want” something means it’s right in God’s eyes. How do you explain the gays who acts like they need a menustral cycle also?!

TRUTH IS

* gay men

TeaThoughts

If people are happy then let them be. It’s man made rules and religions that creates these issues and hatred. I’ve no idea what you’re on about when you talk about “gays who acts like they need a menstrual cycle also” this make no sense in meaning or grammatically!

We are animals, we behave in ways that are very similar to the rest of the animal kingdom, and we may have seemingly sophisticated systems and technologies in place but that does not make us better. Next time try not to base your argument on something that any middle-school biology can disprove. And the issue you’re so conveniently forgetting is consent; because we do not speak the same language as any other species we cannot assume consent. Not true with two humans. Again, my middle-schoolers can figure this out. It’s not terrifically complicated.

First off, Jesus did talk about pedophilia (he lists it among incest using the greek word for pederasty), he did outlaw incest, beastiality, and most definitely spoke of addiction [Read Christs words about how man cannot serve God and money] (by the way as a smoker, smoking is an addiction). In fact Christ mentions every single sexual sin, he even lists them, homosexuality is not on that list.

As for Romans 1, please actually study the greek words used and realize that Paul wasn’t talking about homosexuals, but instead in the 1800s a man coined the term “homosexual” and since then some have used it in translation, even though for almost 1000 years it was interpreted as defamation of orgies, child molesters, and perverts.

Amen brother! I don’t believe the hatred is towards our neighbor, rather it is towards ourselves. Our inability to see and accept the completeness, the beauty (not the flaws) within ourselves, renders it virtually impossible to see them in others. the moment we begin to experience this, will be the moment we will begin to experience true healing for ourselves and the world.

Thank you Mastin for such heartfelt and authentic support.
I clearly remember the Parish Priest in my old church asking me what my thoughts were about gay marriage as he was gathering his thoughts for the upcoming Synod. I feel the same way as what you have so eloquently posted and said so.
What made the question particularly personal for our Parish was that the first Commissioned Priest there (is a fairly young Parish) had been not only a female Priest but also lesbian.
Living in the power of love ~ brightest blessings.

RE: Sodom and Gomorrah – What did Christ really said on the subject? Last time I checked Math 11:11-15 & 20-24 Christ concern was over the sin of faithlessness in people who rejected the Gospel and inhospitality. That’s reflected in Ezekiel 16:48-50- in they didn’t help the poor and needy (again inhospitality). That’s also reflected by Matthew 25:31-46–

Matt 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

The one of the few times Christ talks about sending off people to the eternal
weenie roast was for the people who refused to do those things in Matt25:35.

Nothing there about who people love or if they are gay or not.

But like the religious leaders of Christ day, I have seen plenty of those who
claim to have faith refuse to take care of those who were talked about in
Math25:35 simply because they were perceived as not part of the in crowd for whatever reason. Last time I checked ‘Who so ever believes’ as in John 3:16, means everyone who believes. No fine print. No you have to get cleaned up before you take a bath. No- you’re on the wrong side of the tracks because… Because Fine Print is man’s ways, not God’s way. So who are you to decide who God’s children are? Who are you to get in the way of God’s plan and Love?

William

Just for the record, the bible didn’t mention anything about anyone in Sodom or Gomorrah being gay or homosexual until after the 1600’s when the church changed its policy on gay priests. If you really want a history lesson, but we like to forget all the parts like that.

Thank you for having the courage to speak up. I call it the Jesus Love, how we were meant to live. My favorite part is calling it gay marriage is ridiculous; it is just marriage between two consenting adults, simple and non judgmental.

Amen brother. Love God, Love Yourself, Love Others. It sounds so simple doesn’t it? The hardest part for most of us is loving ourselves and if we can’t do that it’s impossible to truely love others or even God. Love yourselves as you are and it will be impossible not to love others.

WJC

That is exactly why I stopped going to church! Too much hatred towards gay people and it seemed that’s all they wanted to talk about. I always felt that God was about love and I never stopped loving Jesus but I don’t attend church anymore and I always felt a bit guilty about leaving. I also started to feel a bit guilty for loving my gay friends especially my gay sister, but I overcame that when I read Mattew 22:36-40. Instead of practicing the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) I honestly became depressed. I no longer feel that way and do my best to live a better life thru love and walking with Jesus. I love that you wrote this: “But as far as I can tell, there is nothing in the Red Letters of The Bible where Jesus preaches against homosexuality. It’s just not there. If it is, please show me so that I can stand corrected.”
So Thank You for posting this! This article is awesome! God Bless You!

Once upon a time, I voted against Gay Marriage (I can’t believe I admitted that out loud). I was so confused and my heart KNEW otherwise, but I was influenced by a pastor in my hometown. After all, he was the pastor that baptized me. I remember leaving church that day feeling icky. I remember arguing with my best friend because she voted FOR it. I KNEW she was following her heart and I was following FEAR, but my ego wouldn’t let her have it. She was free and simply kept eating her breakfast, while I was irritated and upset. Now? I see my innocence. And all others who are being influenced by religion. I focus on LOVE. It NEVER fails me. I do not need ANY book to tell me how to act, be, or feel. For LOVE does what works. One being, to see the innocence in ALL people. And, now that I am learning to SHHHHH my programmed religious mind and listen to the voice of my heart? I have VERY CLOSE gay friends, and I am truly beginning to understand Christ’s message of Love.
The Daily Commenter,
Kathleen
are-you-there-kathleen-its-me-god.blogspot.com/

Thanks Sheryl…..one of my mantras, and the one I am teaching my 6 year old boy (today) is: “I welcome the opportunity to be… me.” -Cinnamon Lofton

Sheryl

I have a 6 year old son too! I bought him Wayne Dyer’s book “Unstoppable Me.” I bought my 4 year old daughter “I am.” We don’t attend church, but we practice the principles. I grew up Catholic and I recently attended a Christian church where the pastor said gays were sinners. I couldn’t bring myself to go back because that’s not what I believe in my soul. I don’t believe that we will be judged if we learn to love (ourselves and others).

Berto

Bless your heart, Sheryl. I am glad that as a parent, you serve as an example of someone who accepts others, regardless of their sexual orientation, political status, or race.

Just got back from my Living Love Class, and I had to role play a gay woman calming my mind chatter while another couple was negatively whispering about me. I really stepped into a different set of footprints and it was not easy. Big time compassion and LOVE for the gay couples out there who want to get married.

guest

I am wondering how this issue will affect churches? will they have to close their doors because they disagree? will this affect freedom of religion? will the churches be FORCED to to follow the government’s ruling?

Churches will not be effected at all. They are free to continue their exclusive practices. If no cooperative church can be found (or if a church wedding is not desired by a couple) they will simply sign the papers, perhaps have a private gathering, and the couple will be leegally married. No action from any church will be required. Although I should point out that as people evolve, churches who continue to live in the dark ages will likely see their congregations shrink. But that is the price of their choices. Nobody is trying to force any policy changes on church.

William

This issue in the court will have no effect on churches. Just because the Government says they can marry doesn’t mean it has to be done in a church. The churches can do whatever they like. This is totally a legal issue of giving basic human rights to people that might not want anything to do with the church.

See Separation of Church and State

Val

This is wonderful and thank you for writing this. I also challenge everyone in your comments against gay marriage to look at their actions and the laws in Leviticus and see how many they break or don’t support…i.e. divorce, eating shrimp, cut hair, wearing cotton/poly blends…etc.

It still shocks me every day when I see them talking about this on the news or reading the paper. I can’t believe this is still even being debated in 2013. We are all equal. Denying someone marriage is far from love. I can’t imagine having to face that. They too shall overcome.

Brandis Phelan

I so admire you for standing up for what you believe in. I love Jesus and think the same way as you do. Thank you for being you and speaking your truth.

Better3flyfree

This is what I have always told people… “Love IS NOT a can of soup! It SHOULDN’T be labeled.

TheShiningSun

Funny as and you hit the nail on the head!

Tara

Small issue here: the book of matthew comes before corinthians and romans, both books contain anti-homosexual verses which Stacy listed out here in the comments. So are we to believe what was said after Jesus was crucified or not? I don’t have a problem with homosexuality, I have a problem with religious dogma. Being a christian is fine as long as you pick and choose which parts of the bible you’ll follow, due to the fact that a lot of the book is counter-point of Jesus’s message which was Love. Leviticus 20:13 says that homosexual men are committing and abomination and should be put to death, and it’s their fault. Don’t believe? Go look it up. The bible is full of hate speech against many people including homosexuals and pagans. Remember, Love is a divine thing, but books are written by man, on paper, also a man-made thing.

Berto

There came a moment in Life when I labeled myself an
“Atheist.” My Father, who spoke about his Anti-God beliefs ad nauseam,
cringed at the thought of having one of his children become a
“believer.”

While I am not affiliated with a
specific religion or organization, I can definitely say I now live a
life knowing I am fully supported by God, which I sometimes call “The
Universe.”

In a two-person sculling event,
you literally have two individuals simultaneously rowing.
Synchronization is key. To me, my relationship with God can viewed in
the same way.

We are a team.

We are N’Sync (not the band).

We are One.

I
refuse to believe in the idea that we are separate from our Creator. I
refuse to believe in the idea that She/He is full of vengeance and
hate. Heck, I refuse to believe in the idea that only SOME of us are
“welcomed into the kingdom.”

. . .

. .

.

Mastin,
thank you for setting an example of someone who is Christ-like, which
of course involves the idea that we are all unconditionally Loved AND
created equal. I have so much respect for you.

With Love,

Berto

TRUTH IS

funny how whites dont see blacks as one with them, just saying….this is why the world is so messed up. While I might be one with humans….i despise a crimminal…..the behavior is what is rejected not the individual!

Berto

Interesting point, TRUTH IS.

Once, I too despised a criminal. It wasn’t until I was able to look into the mirror and say, “Crap…I need help,” that I truly began to look at others differently.

In my interviews with gangsters, sexual molesters, etc, I surprisingly began to understand their “cry for help.”

If you look at a baby, you realize how full of Life and Joy they appear. Their emotion is genuine.

Unfortunately, some of these babies grow up living a life full of tragic circumstances. These experiences shape their world.

Then, the inevitable happens: These children begin to accept their conditions as the Truth.

As a result, these children, who were once full of Life and Joy, become “criminals.”

So true…”We Can Only Give What We’ve Got.” Cinnamon Lofton….The more love, forgiveness, and compassion we have for ourselves, the more we have for others. I don’t have to “LIKE” who people are being, but by SEEING them…THE REAL THEM…A Child Of LOVE…I can help them rise to align themselves with their true self. Their BIG self. When I focus on their shadow of lies, I only project my illusion and help them sink more into their “I am a bad person” story. I am then actually (energetically) helping them commit more crimes.

Berto

O – M – G! I couldn’t agree with you more, Kathleen! It is so refreshing to hear your perspective in regards to our role as human beings (that is, humans Being Love).

Confirmed…You are now my Friend! LOL. FB seems so silly sometimes, but it is the “what is.”
I would also like to add, “When you are willing to distinguish the doer from the deed and see that love is the core of every person, forgiveness will become so natural that it will be yours in one simple breath. The inhale will be full of forgiveness and the exhale will contain the realization that the doer is innocent, that there is actually nothing to forgive.” Cinnamon Lofton

Berto

I can imagine. I just joined this year, so you can just imagine how excited I get to “stay connected.”

I look forward to reading your future posts. Thank you for shining your light on this world.

It may be sad and it still doen’t justify their evil actions! We were born on this earth with a brain and we are the masters of our own destiny so to choose the wrong path is a choice which they chose as we all have. There is no excuse what so ever. People justify the reasoning behind their bad behaviour as we all make mistakes and from that we are meant to learn and grow into a better human being!

TheSunRadiatesLightInTheShadow

Very true, how can we love someone when they don’t love themselves. Love comes from within.

This post came at the perfect time for me as I have been processing so many questions and “things I have been told” growing up. Although I am 58 years old, I have discovered in the last few years that continued growth is necessary for continued fulfillment in life and that means continuing to question your belief and your life. I am thankful for TDL and how the love expressed and discussed has helped me think even more for myself, even though I am a 58 year old white female living in the Bible Belt.

Evan Lyendecker

In a hyper-connected world in which everyone is a pundit … this is very well stated.

Chantelle

I think this is one of your best posts ever! Thank you for your courage for taking on such a hot button topic. This is that you can never go wrong with LOVE.

You make at least one assumption that you cannot prove–no one can–that people are created to be gay. Therein is part of the problem. Also please check Scripture. Jesus did NOT do away with other commandments by stating that the greatest two are to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. The others still stand and there is no evidence in my Bible that homosexuality is anything but an abomination to God. I will love those caught in that sin since it is no work from a spiritual perspective than my sins, which are plenty. However, our failure to point out sin is one of the most UNLOVING things that we as Believers can do.

I believe you are a bit off in your analysis.

Melissa

I find this argument to be the most frustrating of them all.

An entire community is and has been telling you, for centuries, that the were born that way. You demand “Prove It” and then seem baffled when they are unable to prove how they feel. Why? Because NO ONE can prove how they feel. Try it. Try to physically prove how you feel, love, hate, confusion … you can display signs of these emotions to other people, but that person does not have to believe it.

Right now scientists are Only Just beginning to understand the mind and how it functions. We don’t know why Love happens, but we know it is a truth, and that it exists. Because we all believe it.

If I ask you to prove your straight, could you? In your mind, yes, but would I have to believe it? No.

Just like you refuse to believe them.

Please, listen to what the entire community is saying to you, what the are displaying to each other. It is that they love. They love completely and wholly and just like you. That they have loved like this for as long as they can remember. We aren’t talking about sex. We haven’t been talking about that for a long time. This is about love.

There is nothing wrong with real, true love.

Devin

well said! wow! Sometimes you have been thinking something but don’t have a way to describe it… you put words to what is in my mind and heart. beautiful words.

Bryan Treadaway

Actually that’s not true in 2006 there were a couple articles in my local newspaper that showed scientists have proven they can detect if a child will be gay in the wound around the time the brain starts to show activities if that’s not proof that people are born that way then idk what answers your looking for. What bothers me is that this information can be found and people want to brush it off and say that that means it’s a mental disorder. Why can’t people just accept and love?

BRD

I don’t doubt that a person can be born with the tendency to be homosexual, or a tendency to be a thief, or a murderer…due to the fact that we are all born of and into the world of sin. That started in the garden of Eden with the fall of man since he disobeyed God. But does that mean we are to urge someone to continue in that sin? I can’t image you would urge some who has the tendencies to kill or steal or lie to continue in that manner just as you shouldn’t support a person to continue in the sin of homosexuality. We should in fact pray for these people and show them Biblically where and why it is wrong. We should not flaunt our sin and try to push everyone to support it as that is what is happening in our world. I love God and I love everyone no matter what their sin….but I am not going to encourage their sin no more than I want someone to encourage my sin. I also don’t think it is right for someone to label me as a hater because I don’t support their sin. God created a male and then He created a female as his helper and told them to be fruitful and multiply the earth. If He meant for a man to be with a man….then why didn’t he create another man instead of a female….His creation was perfect and the male and female body fit together perfect for a perfect reason. With that said….His perfect design was male and female together. Marriage…according to scripture is between a man and a woman. I will pray for those caught up in this sin or any other sin to turn away from it….just as I want you to pray for me and my sins. Love in Christ to you all.

Janine B

Thanks Mastin. Well said. We were down at the Supreme Court yesterday and you can only feel the love. My husband and I are marriage equality activists in MD and were beyond excited when it was voted into law in November. Love is moving mountains in DC.

A couple of years ago- while at lunch with my mom- she restated her very strong anti-gay and religious stance- in a way of trying to sway me straight- something she’d been trying to do for years. This time though- in response, I bravely asked her- “What about hermaphrodites? Are they wrong too? Are they going to hell too- just for being born– since they are able to be with a man, woman, or both?” I told her that I believed in diverse sexualities. That sexualities are a design of nature (or God) and that all creatures- including humans- are born however they’re meant to be- whether gay- straight- bisexual- asexual- hermaphrodite- etc.

I figured that Mom would change the subject or argue with me, but she didn’t do either. Instead, she responded with- “One of my girlfriends in school peed standing up.”

I of course smiled and changed the subject– understanding that this was Mom’s way of saying she understood. That she’d had a girlfriend in school that was a hermaphrodite and that it was okay that she was born that way.

This was one of the most important and last conversations I had with my mom.

FilmTurtle

Yesterday on the radio, a woman outside the Supreme Court described gay people as “lawless beasts.” Boy, was that a moment for me. I kept hearing so many teachers and guides asking, “Do you practice what you preach?”

When faced with such bigotry, hatred, anger and fear, what do I do? What parts of myself did I hear in this woman’s voice? I don’t know the answer yet. But it’s a real challenge to stay focused and centered on love and gratitude when my very civil rights are under attack. A real learning moment indeed.

Regards,
Benjamin

Michelle

I am a Christian, straight woman. I’ve felt the things you’ve conveyed in this blog for years. THANK YOU for putting words to my heart!

Sheryl

Well said Mastin!

Osage Dior

I agree…God says don’t judge…it doesn’t make you a better person…focus on your life… 😉

Andrea

Kudos Mastin! Love is all there is! Everything else is an illusion we have created and we perpetuate when we believe there is anything else and live outside of love. IF one does not believe that just try living love for awhile and see what happens!
No doubt that LOVE is what wants to be re-ignited in this world. Thanks Mastin.

I am loving this discussion that’s happening all over the world. My prayer is that it somehow is not simply focused on politics and legislature, but in it’s own small, yet powerful way is a shining beacon on the TRUTH of who Jesus really is. Who He desires US to be.

My one question into the conversation is this: I believe wholeheartedly that Jesus did indeed proclaim that those two Commandments were paramount above all, but how do we resolve His comment shortly before that. Matthew 5:17, where Christ said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them”.

I don’t think that He meant that every implemented law in the Old Testament was being fulfilled because of His coming, but I don’t believe it’s correct to say that we should entirely FORGET everything before. Just judging by what Jesus said Himself.

I have suffered more judgement,hate,emotional abuse from Christians
than any other group in my community for my sexual orientation,the irony
is the Bible they quote explicitly says Let the one without sin cast
the first stone..(that is if indeed homosexuality is a sin).
If you didn’t choose to be heterosexual what makes you think homosexuals chose to be that way?A lot of people miss the bottom line,we are all created by one creator.whether black,Asian,white,gay,straight,transgender we answer to one creator.If you told me you had an issue with my being black,to me that means you have an issue with my creator as I didn’t create myself.Nobody has rights to condemn anybody,what is there for us to do is Love each other.my religion is kindness and compassion,what is yours?

Loved the blog entry Mastin. Having been raised in a very fundamental church, I was taught a lot of stuff that I now view as nonsense. Not to undermine Christianity, but what about those of us who don’t rely on the Bible for our daily walk or spiritual practice? I am saddened that an entire group of people are being discriminated against based on a belief system that many of us no longer cherish as “gospel”. A longer post would be in order to address this topic I suppose, but I am often baffled why we must even form arguments at all against this way of thinking which is based on teachings that are not the only way to believe? Suppose similar judgments were made by people who based them on the cycles of the moon or what the tea leaves revealed in their teacup? Would we even bother indulging an argument? (not to bash these other alternative spiritualities, but to reflect on how our American society values one set of beliefs far and above others). So, while a discussion on Christianity is timely because there are people who cling to their Bibles and make these judgments into laws of the land, for those of us who do not… consider listening to Justice Sotomayor’s recent oral arguments on the subject. Whether you believe in Jesus or Buddha or any other prophet (or not), there is no rational basis for denying homosexual individuals rights and benefits. I often say, if you were to throw out the religious argument against equal rights for all (gay, straight, female, male, intersexed, etc), what other argument would remain? Hard to think of one that is rational.

Cathy

Mastin, so absolutely beautifully said. Christians need to leave judgment behind and spread love. That is why I am a subscriber to your site. You are living Christ’s commandment and loving all of us. Thanks so much to you. You’re an inspiration.

Ellen French

Thank you so much for this. It made my day truly shine. I’ve been away from Christianity for about 10 years and it’s really only recently that I’ve come to terms with it, and I’m ready to go back to church for the first time. I’m realizing now that if I believe God is Love, it doesn’t matter how I worship Him. So if I want to worship Him through the teachings of Jesus, which I believe in (it’s all LOVE LOVE LOVE), then so be it. I shouldn’t be worried about it. And of course, above all, God loves all and judges no one and created us IN HIS IMAGE. So we can’t be wrong. Gay, straight, or neither. If we give LOVE and accept LOVE in His name, we can never fail.

Michelle

Thank you, Mastin, for this post. It is very uplifting to read. I think you hit the nail on the head when you say that Christians need to be more Christ-like and ACCEPT people for who they are. There is no asterisk at the end of the sentence “Love your neighbor” that gives a list of exclusions.

I hope and pray that justice and equality….and most of all, LOVE, will prevail.

Jesus didn’t speak of sexual sin for the most part because he was addressing Jews who already understood and followed the commandment against adultery. To love someone does not mean we condone their sin. There is no decisive evidence that homosexuals are born with a gay gene. They want us to believe that because then they are not accountable and they can say it’s equal to race or gender. Marriage is an institution based on the natural law and its’ purpose is to bring children into the world. Homosexual relationships cannot do that so they disordered in nature. Loving people doesn’t mean we accept sin.

Craig

I struggle to get my head around this concept of Jesus saying the words in red and the rest of the Bible not applying… Since Jesus is The Word (John 1:1) we can’t afford to not accept the words in the rest of the Bible.

Sin is the thing that separates us (me included) from God, no matter what level of sin. In God’s mercy and grace Jesus came died and rose again to break the barrier of sin and make it possible for us sinners to stand in the presence of a holy God. The sin can be big or small but it is our sinful nature that is separating us from God until we accept Jesus as our Lord and saviour, you were not born perfect. The Bible (The Word of God) does speak of different sins requiring different levels of sacrifice so I believe it fair to say there are different levels of sin and sins that are more abhorrent to God than others. It is very plain to see that the Bible speaks against homosexuality. This is not a questionable issue as far as I have read in the Bible.

My sister is gay, I love her to pieces and always will. Do I agree with her choice to be gay? No. Do I agree with my choice to watch pornography as an early adult? No. Did God set me free from my pornography issue? Yes! Do either of these issues stop me loving my sister as Christ said I must love my neighbour? No they don’t. just because I disagree with the idea of two people of the same gender being married and am happy to speak out against it, does this inhibit my ability to love my gay friends and family? I believe it doesn’t.

I have petitioned against same sex marriage to the UK Government, not out of lack of love but out of love itself. My love for my God, the God of the Bible. Feelings are dangerous things to base faith on because feelings change, “follow your heart” I have read in these comments, I would choose to follow the heart of someone with a heart far more trustworthy than mine.

Introducing Hindu practices to Christianity, including Kundalini spirit elements is foolishness and harks to the false teachers spoken of later in the Bible and in Jesus’ own words of red. If we hold to the teaching of the Bible with the guidance of the Spirit of God then we will find peace in the arms of Jesus, no matter what our sinful hearts tell us.

I often wonder how anti-gay people feel when they find out their child or sibling is gay. It is one thing to have strong opinions until something happens to you. I bet a lot of people who hated gay people changed their minds when it touches home.

Thanks for standing up Mastin… it’s time to step into a new paradigm. indeed the time has come. Aho!

David McInnes

LOVE IS.

Love is all who roam this heaven on earth.
Love is all around us,
Love is you,
Love is I,
Love is all we need,
Love is infinite,
Love is leading by example,
Love is treating all as equals,
Love is being positive and being true to thy self,
Love is acceptance and dignity,
Love is self respect and respecting others,
Love is living in the present and accepting the past,
Love is trust and honesty,
Love is open communication,
Love is being happy and spontaneous,
Love is to live a loving life.

I joined the army at 17 and whilst in it, I was definitely a homo-phobe. Then when I was 26, I took a one year break from the army to travel the world. I left behind friends, family, institutions and a whole lot of beliefs that were not my own. As I travelled through the world, I realised that I actually really liked everyone. Regardless of nationality, religion or sexual preference. I made friends with every type of person and saw them for who they were – a distant relative of mine on planet earth. I let go of my old ‘beliefs’ and communicated internally and externally with my heart. And one thing I know for certain is my heart does not judge, it just does that funky love thing.

For me, and I write about this often, beliefs are not universal laws. A example of a universal law is gravity. It works the same way regardless of who you are or what you ‘believe’. Are you heavier than air? ‘Yes’. Then it is downwards for you. Beliefs are not 100% true in 100% of cases, so fighting for your belief, will often have you toe-to-toe with reality. And it turns out that reality will win every time, as Byron Katie tells us so eloquently. Too often our beliefs (and defence of them) get in a way of a good time and spoil a lot of great relationships, and opportunities for true growth and increased consciousness.

So I raise my glass (of green smoothie) to LOVE for everyone!

pepperpix

Very well said. It has always been my belief that we are all connected souls in this Universe! Connected by Love and experiences!

AMEN, Mastin! As a fellow Christian, I am thankful for people like you that actually understands how Christ wants us to live. I find it so heartbreaking that God’s love for EVERYONE tends to be the most widely forgotten thing among Christians.

David McInnes

It is every human’s basic right to the freedom of choice and here everyone is for or against this issue in some way or form. We have this right to make our point of view yet we should not be judging others views as written in here as it goes against everything Mastin and we all have started to be enlightened souls(that is why I joined this site and I’m loving it). I used to judge people and since I stopped doing it, does it really matter?Don’t talk to them. Words are still only words and you only get hurt if you allow them to affect you emotionally. It’s not as if they are physically pointing a firearm at you. If we don’t have something positive to say we should stay silent and reflect back on it as that person wasn’t someone you can connect to….That is being human and why we are all different otherwise we would be a clone of each other-boring! Love and acceptance is the key here with points of view.

Indeed the greatest commandments are mentioned 3 times in the new testament and all the 3 parts are connected to give the whole picture of what Christianity is in connection to eternal life. Here’s my summary version :

Hatred is the greatest sin which goes against the greatest commandments of Christ. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Christ has clearly mentioned that the way to have eternal life for his followers is through his commandments to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. He has mentioned that those laws are above all other biblical laws of any other prophets.

Religious homophobes promoting hatred and discrimination are anti-Christ who do not believe or pretend to believe in Jesus Christ but do not acknowledge Christ’s commandments to love God and to love thy neighbor as thyself, to be the highest of all biblical laws. The anti-Christ, like the devil, is a master of quoting biblical verses except those greatest commandments of love from Christ, they avoid using Christ’s name but use other names, even ‘God’, to bring all sort of biblical verses or ‘facts’, to lie and to prove their justification to hate. Anti-Christ deceive people that those 2 commandments of love were not above all laws for Christians, and they are around in many organizations pretending to be of ‘religious’ faith.

The issue of homosexuality, same sex marriage and many other issues (sexual/non sexual) are different forms of a test of the Christian faith on that choice of who they really believe in the end, to love (Christ and His greatest commandments) or to hate (succumb to temptation of verses NOT from Christ’s greatest commandments to justify discrimination).

Follower of Christ

Jesus hung out with sinners while he was on earth to prove his point about love. That did not mean he condone the acts of sin. That is where the position in this thesis goes to far. I am not saying homosexuality equates to sin, but it is unnatural. We can love each other, it does not mean we have to condone the behavior.

William

“For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others–and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” Matthew 19:12

I have seen some posts on here stating that no one can prove that gays were born that way. When reading this scripture keep in mind that it has been translated into English and not all translations hold all the implied meanings. After study of the translation this is what I get out of this passage.

In this passage at the first mention of the word Eunuch, it speaks of a man who has no sexual attraction to a woman. The second concerning men who have been castrated, and the third men who give up their worldly sexual desires and relationships to become closer to God. In this passage Christ doesn’t make any more mention other than to say that people really are born this way. Also keep in mind that relationships between the same sex were somewhat common in that time, no they didn’t get married but yes it did happen. Everything else goes back to “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”

I am a christian and had a hard time with this issue at first, but that came from the social programing that I was subjected to by over conservative pastors being scared of something they didn’t understand. Now I just try to remember to love everyone I meet, even the guy who cuts me off in traffic or the one who is cussing me out for my beliefs..

William

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.”

All christian’s need to ask themselves if we are really showing love to all.

Andy S

Love your blog Mastin but really bad theology. If we agree that we should love our neighbor, and we agree that sin keeps us from a more full understanding of God, and we agree that homosexuality is sinful (if you are a christian and have picked up the bible there are a half dozen new testament references to homosexuality being a sin) then shouldn’t we want our neighbor to keep from sining? Isn’t the greatest form of love helping each other stay away from sin so we can grow in our love for God? I love my gay friends. One of my best friends is gay. I choose to love them and not to judge them for I am not willing or able to throw the first stone. I am sinful. We can love love love our gay neighbors but that doesn’t mean we should condone sinful behavior.

Lou Hamelin

I think its so cool of you to support gay marriage. I am a gay man and have been with my partner for 17 years and while we live in Canada and could get married we choose not to. Its wonderful to have that choice. I hope that gay people around the world one day can all get married. Because it should be a right for all people. And until we are all equal none of us are! Thanks for your support!

Shelly

1 Timothy 1:9-11

New International Version (NIV)
9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for
the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave
traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the
sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Shelly

Leviticus 18:22

New International Version (NIV)
22 “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.

Jess

FINALLY someone who realizes the truth! Thank you!

Alex

New International Version (NIV) says it all … Another misinterpretation of an interpretation. *NEW* simply means it has been changed to reflect an agenda of hate.

Truth be told

Agenda of hate??lolololol wow how people complicate things. Read the King James version then.
So it’s okay to disapprove of other things like stealing, killing and every other thing the bible speaks of but when the bible touches on homosexuality all of a sudden its an agenda of hate?? That same NIV version speaks of the importance of Love as well..whether its King James or any other version you are taught the same concepts. Ppl are quick to call everything hate. YYOUU are the one with your own agenda.. The guy here asked us to identify something in the bible that disapproves homosexuality and that’s all Shelly did! LOL

TeaThoughts

Oh dear, a ‘new’ verson. Interesting that a book of ‘god’ has new versions and editions. These books are written by people!! These words come from the human ego, they do not come from ‘god’. Why do people believe these things so much? It astounds me, it really does.

Shelly

1 Corinthians 6:8-10

Amplified Bible (AMP)

8 But [instead it is you] yourselves who wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren [by so treating them]!

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,

10 Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.

TRUTH IS

No worries; BABYLON will fall!

Shelly

Romans 1:24-32

New International Version (NIV)

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In
the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and
were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts
with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their
error.

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They
have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and
depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.
They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Kim

Mastin, this is wonderfully written. As a fellow follower of Christ, I have been ridiculed in my church for speaking out in support of “gay rights.” I am a member of the Methodist church and last June they voted to continue to keep the language in the doctrine for a marriage to be between a “man and women.” I was hurt by the mean and hateful attitude and words of members of our church on the pastor’s facebook page as he was in Florida for the vote. I couldn’t believe how they could say such hateful things toward their fellow members that not only attend our church, but serve others in many capacities. You wrote exactly how I feel – Jesus is LOVE. Period. God created EVERYONE and he didn’t make any mistakes. I appreciate this blog and I am going to share it with some very close friends who are struggling with this issue. God bless! Keep up the positive love.

Thank you for sharing this. I’m very much a follower of Christ. I can be as long as I remember. I go to church and I love Jesus with my whole heart. I’m straight and I love a man. Here is my view – I do not choose who I love, it just happens. Who are we to say that someone else CAN control who they love. We are not meant to judge, we are called to love.

Mindy G

Beautiful !!

pepperpix

It so does my heart good to read your messages everyday. I have always lived my life by the words “Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you”. I believe from the bottom of my heart and soul that we all have the right to choose and love whoever we wish…and yes Jesus loves everyone..even prostitutes…so I could never understand why so many, who claim to be christians have such hateful and negative remarks about gays? I pray everyday for peace and love to come to all who feel so righteous over others.

Clif

Thank you for helping me forgive and love my Christian friends and family.

DRHNSD

If only my family could find this most basic level of understanding. In their eyes, I am what is wrong with the world. Instead of a yes vote to marriage, they explained they had no choice but vote against me marrying the person I love, yet my relationship has lasted 34 years – more than twice as long as any of them. I could sense the distance in family gatherings – even when I was right there. And I hated the disapproving lectures from my sister. I grew so tired of knowing you felt you were better than me. When I finally walked away – I felt relief. I don’t miss you at all dear sister Barb – not at all. I nearly lost my faith in god because of you. I forgive you – You don’t know how to love they neighbor (or brothers) unless there is something in it for you; And you have always been unable to see life through my eyes. You won’t ever get the chance again to look down on me with dissapproval..My brother – the only family I have that never judged me – I am lucky that you are my brother – don’t think a day goes by that I don’t realize that. And last, God why did you decide to make me gay? You know how much prejudice I have lived through because of it. I have always been a good person and I have loved thy neighbor as myself. I didn’t need this lesson, so I ask you – why me?

JACKIE

I voted against “gay marriage” the first round but then I thought to myself, who am I to say no? what makes me better than them if I do things I shouldn’t being doing as a Christian? At the end of the day, I am responsible for one person and that person is me! I’m not close minded anymore as I was. I grew up in a Christian home and my parents taught me right from wrong and that I should love my neighbor as myself and I was also taught the GOLDEN RULE. God will deal with each one of us individually. Everyone has a right to be happy and be able to love without question. GOD IS LOVE!

ME:)

I feel like this article is almost saying that if you don’t accept gay marriage, you hate gays. Let me just state clearly – If you are against gay marriage that DOES NOT mean u hate gays. I’m sure there are many people who are against homosexual marriage who have found out that some of their relatives who they have loved forever have turned out to be gay and this fact has not made them love them any less. I’m sure every Christian is fully aware of the commandment to love your neighbour as yourself and most do try to practice this. But because we love our neighbours, this does not mean we should give them anything that they want..We see this all the time – A mother overfeeds her child because she loves the child so much… The child keeps asking for food and the mother gives it to them because of ‘love’ and the child becomes morbidly obese. People have done all sorts of evil in the ‘name of love’ so we need to be careful. Ppl fornicate because they love:P

Secondly, I do not believe that someone is born gay. Just my opinion. You seem to think otherwise. Some killers think they are born killers. I think otherwise. And let’s say you were actually born gay..that your sexual orientation would be more that justified..(as Lady Gaga would say – You’re on the right track baby you were born this way). That means ppl who were ‘born’ to kill would be justified in their actions and should be allowed to carry out what society would see as wrong but what they view as right doings. Ye ye ye..how dare i compare killers to gays..i do so because i see both actions as sin. yeye but killers are harming other ppl!!! you are not hurting anyone if two consenting gay adults choose to be in a relationship!!!..Since this article was written from a Christian perspective..I’ll draw my support from the Christian Bible.
1) Why i see homosexuality as sin
1 Corinthians 6 vs 9-10 : Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,(10)Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.
I understand effeminate as used in that context and in those times to mean only one thing..homosexuals. But perhaps you may think it refers to something else.
Jude 1 Vs 7: Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire

I have known ppl who have lived a heterosexual lifestyle for most of their lives and because they probably had some bad experience with one gender they try another gender..this is nothing more than choice. I have heard males say that what they get from a guy sexually, no woman could ever give them that. My opinion is that most decisions to become gay stem from sexually immoral thoughts and experiences.

2) Whether or not you hurt someone else is besides the point. Straight people who commit the sin of fornication is in the same boat as ppl who kill, when it comes to entering the Kingdom of God
1 Corinthians 6 vs 18: Flee fornication. Every sin that man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

And since homosexuality is clearly seen as something unnatural (strange)in the bible then I really don’t think if Jesus were here he would say ” Let them marry”.

I, like the author of this article, have never felt led to comment on religious ideas but when i see Christians defending this lifestyle it worries me. I think many Christians are aware of what is right and what is wrong but when it comes to sexuality the mind gets warped because of either personal experiences or just the perverted world having influence over us. Too much freedom is never good. We humans are like sheep..teach us crap and we do crap. Allowing gay marriage is validating gay marriage..my child will grow up thinking that you can try one gender if it doesn’t work try another..if that doesn’t work marry the dog. Please understand the world we are living in. Sexual immorality is the easiest sin for us to fall prey to. . as you can see. fornication is the norm..and I don’t think many Christians pay that sin any mind. But if we are going to follow the teachings of Jesus we cannot pick and choose what we want from it.

I havent been to church in a few years but the way the world is unfolding i think its time to return.
But nothing in the world surprises anyone who follows the bible right?

2 Timothy 4 vs 3 -4: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

One Love.

N.

Dear Mastin, I simply ask Who do you think Jesus is? Because unless you accept Jesus for who He says He is, you are not his follower, and you are deceiving yourself first and than others. I love reading your blog but it is sad to see how you distort the very word of Yeshua to suit your own views – it shows that you are not a lover of Jesus but of yourself and of the idea of who you want Jesus to be. So while I love that you took a personal stance on this and wrote it so elegantly, I cannot agree with your (and others) misuse and manipulation of Jesus’ ministry to suit your own personal views. I write this not to judge people’s opinions on gay/straight marriage but to speak honestly about people’s misuse of Scripture. It is saddening to see people’s playing with God’s word when they indeed don’t speak for God but for themselves. Truly, the first commandment is Love the Lord your God with your whole being – but who is your God, Mastin? That is why the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments – because if you truly loved the Lord and loved your neighbor, you will be filled with God’s Spirit to fulfill – or to walk in the Law – and that is love as defined by the Lord for it is His Law and not love as defined by us, mere men who walk by the flesh. So if your love for God was real it will be evident in your walk in the Law and the Prophets as they hang on those two commandments, but what does the Law and the Prophets (which by the way are not the American law or some gurus but the Hebrew Law and Prophets of ancient Judaism) say about that matter? – They say, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one.” We want to make God be in our image so He walks our way and so we want love to be what we want it to be. I come from part of the world where for some it is out of love that they want to murder others and even to rape their daughters… by your logic this should be made legal too then? You speak of love as a man wants it to be, which is not love, Mastin. My Lord died on the cross to bear the death penalty for our sins (gay or straight) – the very death penalty which was written in the Law, and Jesus rose from the dead so anyone who believes upon Him as the Messiah, the Son of God who is one with the Father, shall have eternal life. Speak your truth, Mastin but when it comes to Jesus unless you accept Him and follow Him as the One who He says He is, you will be speaking nothing more than a half-truth; and a half-truth is still a lie. Let’s not exchange the truth about God for a lie, and
worship and serve created things rather than the Creator—who is
forever praised, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). In Love for Christ, N.

N.

Dear Mastin, I simply ask Who do you think Jesus is? Because unless you
accept Jesus for who He says He is, you are not his follower, and you
are deceiving yourself first and than others. I love reading your blog
but it is sad to see how you distort the very word of Yeshua to suit
your own views – it shows that you are not a lover of Jesus but of
yourself and of the idea of who you want Jesus to be. So while I love
that you took a personal stance on this and wrote it so elegantly, I
cannot agree with your (and others) misuse and manipulation of Jesus’
ministry to suit your own personal views. I write this not to judge
people’s opinions on gay/straight marriage but to speak honestly about
people’s misuse of Scripture. It is saddening to see people’s playing
with God’s word when they indeed don’t speak for God but for themselves.
Truly, the first commandment is Love the Lord your God with your whole
being – but who is your God, Mastin? That is why the Law and the
Prophets hang on these two commandments – because if you truly loved the
Lord and loved your neighbor, you will be filled with God’s Spirit to
fulfill – or to walk in the Law – and that is love as defined by the
Lord for it is His Law and not love as defined by us, mere men who walk
by the flesh. So if your love for God was real it will be evident in
your walk in the Law and the Prophets as they hang on those two
commandments, but what does the Law and the Prophets (which by the way
are not the American law or some gurus but the Hebrew Law and Prophets
of ancient Judaism) say about that matter? – They say, “Therefore a man
shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they
shall become one.” We want to make God be in our image so He walks our
way and so we want love to be what we want it to be. I come from part of
the world where for some it is out of love that they want to murder
others and even to rape their daughters… by your logic this should be
made legal too then? You speak of love as a man wants it to be, which is
not love, Mastin. My Lord died on the cross to bear the death penalty
for our sins (gay or straight) – the very death penalty which was
written in the Law, and Jesus rose from the dead so anyone who believes
upon Him as the Messiah, the Son of God who is one with the Father,
shall have eternal life. Speak your truth, Mastin but when it comes to
Jesus unless you accept Him and follow Him as the One who He says He is,
you will be speaking nothing more than a half-truth; and a half-truth
is still a lie. Let’s not exchange the truth about God for a lie, and worship and serve created things rather than the Creator—who is forever
praised, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
(John 3:16). In Love for Christ, N.

N.

Dear Mastin, I simply ask Who do you think Jesus is? Because unless you
accept Jesus for who He says He is, you are not his follower, and you
are deceiving yourself first and than others. I love reading your blog
but it is sad to see how you distort the very word of Yeshua to suit
your own views – it shows that you are not a lover of Jesus but of
yourself and of the idea of who you want Jesus to be. So while I love
that you took a personal stance on this and wrote it so elegantly, I
cannot agree with your (and others) misuse and manipulation of Jesus’
ministry to suit your own personal views. I write this not to judge
people’s opinions on gay/straight marriage but to speak honestly about
people’s misuse of Scripture. It is saddening to see people’s playing
with God’s word when they indeed don’t speak for God but for themselves.
Truly, the first commandment is Love the Lord your God with your whole
being – but who is your God, Mastin? That is why the Law and the
Prophets hang on these two commandments – because if you truly loved the
Lord and loved your neighbor, you will be filled with God’s Spirit to
fulfill – or to walk in the Law – and that is love as defined by the
Lord for it is His Law and not love as defined by us, mere men who walk
by the flesh. So if your love for God was real it will be evident in
your walk in the Law and the Prophets as they hang on those two
commandments, but what does the Law and the Prophets (which by the way
are not the American law or some gurus but the Hebrew Law and Prophets
of ancient Judaism) say about that matter? – They say, “Therefore a man
shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they
shall become one.” We want to make God be in our image so He walks our
way and so we want love to be what we want it to be. I come from part of
the world where for some it is out of love that they want to murder
others and even to rape their daughters… by your logic this should be
made legal too then? You speak of love as a man wants it to be, which is
not love, Mastin. My Lord died on the cross to bear the death penalty
for our sins (gay or straight) – the very death penalty which was
written in the Law, and Jesus rose from the dead so anyone who believes
upon Him as the Messiah, the Son of God who is one with the Father,
shall have eternal life. Speak your truth, Mastin but when it comes to
Jesus unless you accept Him and follow Him as the One who He says He is,
you will be speaking nothing more than a half-truth; and a half-truth
is still a lie. Let’s not exchange the truth about God for a lie, and worship and serve created things rather than the Creator—who is forever
praised, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
(John 3:16). In Love for Christ, N.

Heiress

The best Post on this page. Thank You.

Ryan

Homosexuality is a sin. As a Christian, this means you cannot (keyword) *support* a sinful lifestyle. Neither does it mean to not love them, since last time I looked in my Bible I read I am also a sinner, too. Love the sinners, because Jesus died for them too.

Voting for gay marriage does not become equivalent to loving your neighbor. Should I support my brother (yes, my earthly brother) to live a life that will condemn him? No! What love do you have for someone if you know they are walking into fire but say nothing?

You can take down my post because you probably think I’m hating, although I assure you this a truly concerned Christian, who knows that to follow Christ sacrifices must be made. What’s the sacrifice? Everything that causes you to live a sinful lifestyle.